Howard Coker | June 10, 2025 | Personal Injury
PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, insurance pays for your covered medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident, no matter who was at fault. PIP insurance can help you get compensation for covered damages more quickly because there is no need to establish fault or liability.
While PIP has some advantages and can be great if you are involved in an accident in Florida, it also has some drawbacks. PIP does not cover 100% of your medical bills and lost wages. It has some other limitations as well, so keep reading below to learn more about PIP insurance in Florida.
Is PIP Required in Florida?
Yes, all drivers are required to carry PIP insurance coverage in Florida. Florida is a no-fault state. This means that each driver carries PIP insurance to pay for their own injury-related expenses after an accident.
Florida law sets some minimum requirements for PIP coverage in the state. All vehicles registered in the state must carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage. Drivers must also carry a minimum of $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL) insurance. This insurance pays for any damages you may cause to someone else’s vehicle or other property.
What Does PIP Cover?
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers injury-related expenses up to your policy limits. In most cases, this means that it will cover up to $10,000 worth of those expenses. Medical expenses should be reasonable and necessary.
Some common examples of things that PIP will cover include:
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency treatment
- Surgery
- Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
- Follow-up doctor visits
- Rehabilitation costs
- Prescription medications
Medical expenses are covered at 80%. So, this means that you will still be responsible for paying for the first 20% of your medical expenses. Additionally, PIP will cover 60% of your lost wages. For instance, if you miss work for two weeks because of your injuries, your PIP coverage will reimburse you for 60% of those lost wages.
Finally, PIP may cover certain household expenses related to your accident. For example, suppose your injuries prevent you from mowing the lawn, caring for your children, or cleaning your house. PIP coverage can help pay for some of those expenses as well.
Are There Any Limitations to PIP Coverage?
Yes, PIP coverage does have some limitations. As already mentioned, PIP insurance does not cover your medical bills and lost wages completely. It only covers 80% of your reasonable and necessary medical treatments, and it will only pay for 60% of your lost wages.
Another big limitation of PIP coverage is that it does not cover your pain and suffering. Non-economic damages are a large part of many personal injury claims. PIP coverage does not cover any of these damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring
While PIP coverage does have many advantages, it is important to be aware of these limitations so that you can assess the thoroughness of all your insurance coverage.
Can I Still Sue the At-Fault Driver?
Since Florida is a no-fault state, you are expected to rely on your PIP coverage after an accident. You may not be able to immediately sue another driver for your damages, even if they were at fault. However, if your injuries are severe, you still have the right to sue the at-fault driver.
The at-fault driver may still be responsible for paying for any damages not covered by your PIP insurance. With severe or catastrophic injuries, your medical bills often far exceed the policy limits of your PIP coverage.
If you are able to sue the at-fault driver, this opens the door to all the pain and suffering damages that you may have suffered.
How Long Do I Have To File a Pip Claim?
In most cases, you have 30 days after your accident to file a PIP claim. However, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days after your accident. Failure to meet either of these deadlines may result in your claim being denied.
If you decide to sue the at-fault driver for damages, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline can result in losing all your rights to recover any compensation after your accident.
It is always wise to seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer after an accident so that they can help you determine the best path forward for your claim. Should you need help, contact Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers as soon as possible.
Contact The Personal Injury Law Firm of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville personal injury law firm of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County and its surrounding areas.
Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers
136 E Bay St #5438
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 356-6071
Find us with our Geo Coordinates: 30.32569719086265, -81.65515220132858
